BUSINESSES in York have been adding their support to help make 2014's apprentice campaign the most successful yet.

The campaign, led by City of York Council and local training providers, sought to secure 100 apprenticeship pledges in 100 days.

Yesterday The Press reported a final push is being made to create a record number of pledges, as the campaign enters its final week having already surpassed its target with135 pledges made.

Today we look at a handful of the 86 businesses which have vowed to take on an apprentice across the region.

Red Goat Climbing Company, based in Redeness Street, has already successfully recruited it's first apprentice.

Nikki May, director at Red Goat, said: “I know how hard it is for young people to find jobs and I have many young people who come here asking whether we had any vacancies. It felt great to finally be able to offer somebody that opportunity.

“We teach them about working here at Red Goat, but then the provider can teach them other business and team leading skills that we may not cover on a day to day basis."

PurpleFrog Text has pledged two apprentices as part of the York Apprenticeship Challenge 2014.

The technical knowledge management business, based at York Science Park, works with people at PHD level but is searching for two apprentices to join its team.

Masoud Saeedi, managing director of the company said: "Apprentices will be grown with us. If the person has the right drive, we would like them to carry onto whatever level of education they like.

"There will be many opportunities from them to learn from our higher level staff members,"

In 2011 Fancy Dance Shop pledged to recruit an apprentice as part of the York Apprenticeship Challenge.

Since then their apprentice Amy Hamilton has completed her apprenticeship and is now managing the York store in Micklegate.

Miss Hamilton started as a Saturday girl and when she wasn’t enjoying her college course, owner Jayne Mason offered up the opportunity of doing an Apprenticeship at the shop in York.

Ms Mason said: "Amy had great potential and I wanted to offer her more hours but was hesitant about her leaving college without qualifications.

"We decided that an Apprenticeship would be the best way forward as she could work and still gain qualifications. She is continuing to learn alongside working and is now doing a level 3 diploma in management.”